LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo has announced that Graham Annesley's weekly briefings will be axed for the 2025 season.
While Annesley will still be available to address major controversies, the regular Monday meetings where journalists could get key stats and rulings explained will no longer be held.
The decision comes after a post-season review in 2024.
The briefings provided clarity on certain rulings, but there was concern that too much focus on referees could lead to unnecessary scrutiny.
Some decisions were seen as subjective, which didn't always sit well with fans.
Despite this, the briefings did offer valuable insight, such as during the grand final when a crucial camera angle showed a no try decision that was controversial.
Without the weekly briefings, the media and fans may face challenges when dealing with calls they disagree with.
It remains to be seen how controversies will be handled without the official word from the NRL on Monday afternoons.
Abdo stated, "As part of the post-season review in 2024, we decided that we do not require the regular Monday football briefings."
The decision to axe the briefings may signal a shift in how the NRL communicates with the media and fans.
While major decisions will still be explained, the absence of weekly meetings could lead to a lack of transparency and understanding for contentious calls.
It will be interesting to see how this change impacts the coverage and discussion of NRL matches in the upcoming season.